Olive Paste and Blue Cheese Canapi

(Canapi De Pasta De Aceituna Negra Y Queso Cabrales)Note: This paste of black olives, garlic, and pine nuts is a lovely complement to a robust blue cheese, such as the outstanding Cabrales from Asturias in northern Spain. The black olives must be cured to give the proper flavor.

• Ready In: 15 mins
• Yields: 1 batch

Ingredients

• 1⁄4 lb black olives, cured, pitted
• 1  garlic clove, mashed to a paste (or put through a garlic press)
• 2  tablespoons pine nuts
• 3  tablespoons olive oil
• 1⁄4 lb blue cheese (or more, Cabrales, Roquefort, or Gorgonzola)
•  black olives (for garnish)
•  long crusty bread, cut into 1/4-inch slices

Directions

1. Place the olives, garlic, pine nuts, and olive oil in the bowl of a processor and chop as finely as possible. [May be prepared ahead]
2. Spread thinly on bread slices.
3. Cover with blue cheese.
4. Decorate with a piece of black olive.
5. Makes 2 canapis per serving.